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The article features programs at libraries that go beyond traditional library outreach efforts. Topics discussed include a program at the San Francisco Public Library (SFPL) that brings a petting zoo into the library, the outreach program at the Oakland (California) Public Library (OPL), and the Prince George's County (Maryland) Memorial Library's online Hatchling's program.

The article focuses on the free ebook access provided by Brooklyn Public Library's (BPL's) Books Unbanned Team to teens and young adults defying rising book challenges across the U.S. in 2022. Topics discussed include number of instances of individual books being banned listed by the freedom of expression nonprofit PEN America's Index of School Book Bans from July 2021 to June 2022, the launch of Books Unbanned campaign by BPL on April 12, 2022, and the partnership between BPL and PEN America.

The article discusses the need of library leaders, staff, and boards to be prepared for attacks on readers' rights. Topics include a library's strongest and probably most-used defense when it comes to facing challenges, the need of library administrators to familiarize themselves with First Amendment legal decisions at the national and state level, and importance of freedom of information and library policy training for trustees.

The author reflects on renewing their commitment to the important work they do and the people they serve as the Librarian of Congress. She talks about a quote from author Douglas Frederick about reading, their job to ensure that their communities have access to books and other resources, and their need to continue to serve their communities with knowledge and inspiration.

The article discusses the opportunity for librarians and readers to consider how to evolve aspects of readers' advisory (RA) services into reader engagement (RE) by focusing some of their attention on readers' experiences of the books they read and how reading itself enriches their lives. Topics include basic components of reader ecology and research published by Kenneth Shearer on the importance of providing a reader with an opportunity to discuss their reading experiences.

The article features Central Arkansas Library System (CALS), the winner of the 2021 Jerry Kline Community Impact Prize. Topics discussed status of CLAS when it received an Honorable Mention for the Prize in 2020, service area of CALS according to library data, and effort of CALS to maintain services while keeping staff and patron safe during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The article discusses the community partnerships being developed by outreach librarians to bring library programs and services to those who may not be library patrons yet. Topics include comments from outreach services librarian and manager of the outreach services team at St. Charles Public Library, Illinois David Kelsey about outreach, how outreach workers may advocate for specific populations, and key factor to successful outreach.

The article reports on the launch of the status of Ferguson Library in Stamford, Connecticut as the first sanctuary library in the state. Ferguson followed Chicago Public Library's lead to become the second sanctuary library in the U.S., a place where patrons are promised access to books banned or challenged elsewhere. The Senate Bill 2, An Act Concerning the Mental, Physical and Emotional Wellness of Children" drafted by the Connecticut General Assembly's Committee on Children is discussed.

The article discusses the report "Public Libraries and the Pandemic: Digital Shifts and Disparities to Overcome," published in March 2021 by New America which found that many people faced challenges accessing online resources. Topics discussed include percentage of the respondents who said they had used a public library prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, disparities in access to and awareness of public library resources, and respondents who reported much lower usage.

The article discusses the efforts by libraries in the U.S. to support patrons and library staff who are experiencing mental health challenges. Topics covered include proportion of U.S. adults who live with a mental illness as of 2017 according to the National Institute of Mental Health, best practices for library staff on dealing with patrons with mental illness, and information on Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training, a course developed by the National Council on Behavioral Health.

The article explores trends in Christian fiction. It discusses the importance of maintaining the loyalty of Christian fiction readers, as well as the strategies being used by U.S. librarians to better understand their patrons. It also describes the preferences of libraries' Christian fiction readers according to various publishers, including Baker Publishing.

The article offers advice for librarians on how to make their book club programs a success. Particular focus is given to how book club hosting tends to fall into three categories: self-led, paralibrarian-led or librarian-led. Various trends in book clubs are also noted including nonfiction, bring your own book and read aloud.

The article discusses the ambitions and challenges of publishers and librarians in the U.S. who serve Hispanic readers. Topics include how Spanish-speaking readers are assessed and served, how librarians close gaps between the native and second-language speaker, and the greatest challenges that librarians face in providing books in Spanish.

The article offers on the various public libraries in the U.S. offering outstanding services for library users. Libraries include Arlington Heights Memorial Library in Illinois who is known for the active collaboration with their community, Middle Country Public Library in New York who provides various library programs which seek to improve the community, and the Grand View Heights Public Library and its partnership with school and communities in developing projects to improve library services.

The article reports on the library services, early literacy tips, and giveaways for new parents provided by Oregon's Deschutes Public Library (DPL), the Iowa City Public Library (ICPL), and the St. Louis County Library (SLCL). It mentions the statement from Chantal Strobel, DPL community relations manager, regarding the matter.

The article offers information on the Public Library Maker Survey 2017 which examined Maker programs in public libraries in the U.S. and Canada. Topics discussed include creative activities, trend toward the use of digital technology, and skills development of librarians. It also mentions library patrons and benefit and opportunities for libraries with maker programming.

The article focuses on the efforts of Fairmont City Library Center (FCLC) managed by Collinsville Memorial Public Library (CMPL) to provide community service to Mexican immigrants in Fairmont of Mississippi Valley Library District (MVLD), Illinois. Topics discussed are library award won by MVLD from LibraryAware, a product of the organization EBSCO Publishing's NoveList Division, support from Mexican Consulate for documentation, and benefits include, poverty reduction and increase in education.

The article discusses the addition of circulation of electronic materials to the existing measures used by the publication to create its Index of Public Library Service, which include circulation, library visits, program attendance, and public Internet. Topics include the legal service area population and annual spending of libraries considered, and the addition of wireless internet services to the index measures in 2017. The 2016 "Library Journal" Index of Public Library Service is presented.

The article discusses services and resources offered by U.S. libraries, both public and academic, to military veterans in an effort to assist them in transitioning from military to civilian life. Topics include the California State Library's development of Veterans Resource Centers (VRCs) to the state's public libraries, Veterans Resource Fairs hosted by many California libraries, and the need for libraries to focus on developing relationships and establishing atmospheres of respect and trust.

The article discusses how passive programming, described as temporary, self-directed activities or exhibits that users interact with in their own time, can solve a library's need to encourage library patrons with less funding and fewer human resources. Topics discussed include examples of self-directed activities or exhibits, move taken by Princeton Public Library in New Jersey and the interactive exhibit at the Lakewood Public Library.

The article presents the "Library Journal" Index of Public Library Service that ranked public libraries in the U.S. in 2015. Eligible libraries are grouped through total operating expenditures and based on differences in public Internet terminal use, program attendance, circulation and library visits. There are two new three-Star winners, such as the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library and Toledo-Lucas County Public Library.

The article discusses how the periodical's Best Small Library in America Award has influences the libraries in the U.S. who won the award between 2005-2015. Topics include the new services offered by the Haines Borough Public Library in Alaska, community services by the Milanof-Schock Library in Pennsylvania; and financial support received from the community by the Southern Area Public Library in West Virginia.

The article evaluates several products for libraries, including the Four-Flap Enclosure shelve from Archival Products, the UTrieve microfilm retrieval software from Crowley Co., and the Heat-Free Laminating Machine from Showcases.

The article discusses how labeling books by reading level disempowers young readers. Topics discussed include ways in which effective readers' advisers understand that their success depends on familiarity with a range of books; process for hunting right books in classrooms and collections in which books are organized by reading level; and use of color-coded bins or shelves labeled by level to help readers in selecting books.

The article discusses the increase in mobile outreach programs offered by public libraries. Comments by Ann Plazek, president of the American library Association's (AlA) Association of Bookmobiles and Outreach (ABOS) and Michael Swendrowski, ABOS board member on bookmobile initiative are included. Topics include benefits for children, operation of Early Literacy Mobile and funding by King County (WA) Library System (KClS) foundation.

The article presents pieces of advice on problems related to censorship. Topics include whether the idea of informing parents of books their students borrow is a common practice, the demand by a principal to a librarian to send him a list of LGBTQIA+ books that the high school library circulates, and how to handle a situation involving a first grader who seems to enjoy the books the teacher reads aloud but stays seated when his classmates search for books to borrow.

The article looks at so-called Maker spaces, areas of public libraries devoted to helping patrons work together and learn by offering tools, access, and training to create ideas and objects. The spaces' focus on learning through play is emphasized. Other topics include incorporating 3-D (three-dimensional) printing and mentoring.

The article focuses on services and the staff of the San Diego County Library (SDCL) in San Diego, California. It states that the SDCL won the Gale-Library Journal 2012 Library of the Year Award due to its partnering with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide free clinics concerning the mechanics of mortgage foreclosure. It talks about the work environment in which employee staff is encouraged to develop new programs and mentions its volunteer program for students.

The article examines what the author identifies as the popularity of graphic nonfiction works, particularly concerning the use of the literary genre of memoir in graphic nonfiction. The article also discusses graphic nonfiction collection building and maintenance for librarians and offers several graphic nonfiction suggestions including "Ethel & Ernst: A True Story," by Raymond Briggs, "The Complete Persepolis," by Marjane Satrapi, and "Stiches," by David Small.

The article focuses on the Naturita Community Library (NCL) in Naturita, Colorado, part of the Montrose Regional Library District, which the magazine has judged to be the best small library in America for 2010. The article discusses NCL's after-school programs, the impact of the library on the educational attainment of residents, and the efforts to raise funds for the new library. The article also mentions the leadership of Susan Rice as library director. The fact that the library building itself was constructed with straw bales, making it a green building, is noted.

The article discusses the popularity of self-service options which have been installed in several libraries across the U.S. A discussion of the results of a survey which was conducted in April of 2010 by "Library Journal," and examined the self-service options that were offered art U.S. libraries and the levels at which they were offered at the libraries, is presented.

The article profiles Ohio's Columbus Metropolitan Library (CML), which was given the Library of the Year Award 2010, sponsored by Gale publishing and this journal. The CML's strategy of "Open to all" is clarified by executive director Patrick Losinski. According to the article, the culture of CML is one of perpetual strategic planning, adaptability, investment in efficiency, and attention to priorities. The top priority of "young minds" is discussed.

The article discusses how libraries' readers' advisory (RA) services and reference services work together. According to the article, the two services are similar in approach, as is defined in the 1930 book "Reference Work: A Textbook for Students of Library Work and Librarians" by James Wyer. Many librarians' lack of training in RA, the discomfort of change in library services, and a library's blended environment with RA reference and RA are discussed.

In this article the author suggests that librarians should focus on developing core competencies in order to maintain and improve library services in response to changing user expectations. She discusses library technologies, interpersonal skills, and literacy advocacy. She remarks on the importance of young adult librarians in bringing change to libraries. INSET: The Interplay of Personal & Interpersonal Competencies.

The article presents an overview of the impact that a global recession and a challenging economic situation in the United States is having on the services that U.S. libraries are being asked to provide to library patrons, and in particular to unemployed library patrons, in 2009. A discussion of cases in which librarians have gone above and beyond their job descriptions to provide additional assistance to needy patrons is presented.

The article reports on the efforts of public and academic libraries in Alberta to help people affected by the wildfire that ravaged the city of Fort McMurray in 2016. Some 88,000 residents evacuated their homes due to the wildfire. The libraries ensured access to library services, provided library cards to evacuees and did outreach at evacuation centers.

The author discusses the rating of the "Library Journal" Index of Public Library Service 2009. Ratings are based on circulation statistics, statistics on library visits, library program attendance and public Internet computer use. Star-rated libraries who answered further questions about the ratings include Boulder Public Library in Colorado. INSET: The LJ Index Basics.

The article reports on an increase in U.S. libraries that have stopped shelving their books according to the Dewy decimal system and have started to shelve them according to a system called BISAC (Book Industry Standards and Communications). While the Dewey, system categorizes related knowledge systematically, BISAC is an alphabetical list of categories ranging from Antiques and Collectibles to True Crime. Libraries have begun to use BIASC because they feel it is more user friendly.

The article profiles the Union County Carnegie Library (UCCL) in South Carolina, which was voted best small library in America by the journal and sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Several factors that contributed to UCCL winning this award including its technology improvements, creation of a genealogy collection, Tombstone 2.0 Project, and revitalization of the children's department are explored. UCCL's director Nancy E. Rosenwald's belief in service excellence is discussed.

The author recounts the changes since the first fines and fee survey conducted by the "Library Journal" in 2017. She talks about the percentage of libraries that still collected fines and percentage that were considering eliminating them, the effect of fines on patrons with the lowest income, and impact of the move by some libraries in New York City to remove fines.

The article focuses on the patrons of public libraries and presents advice for librarians on how to identify the people that are being underserved. It is suggested that the upwardly mobile middle and upper-middle classes are underserved in many communities and that this creates a marginalized library. INSET: What's in a name?.

The article reports on strategies that can improve reader services in U.S. public libraries. The author advises librarians to track book prepublication notices that appear in library and trade journals and to observe the titles being promoted at publishing trade fairs and conventions. Also recommended is the scouting web sites and blogs devoted to books and authors.

The article focuses on the development and marketing of the Evergreen integrated library information system, which began with a need from public libraries in Georgia for a better information service. A discussion of the advantages of and technological capabilities of the Evergreen information system is presented. INSET: Behind the Scenes.

The article discusses the use of reading maps in readers' advisory (RA) services. Reading maps move beyond the traditional "read alike" formula by charting the myriad associations and themes contained in a book to other media with shared commonalties. A sample portion of a reading map for the book "Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell" by Susanna Clarke is included. INSETS: 7 Reasons To Make Maps;WHOLE COLLECTION RA.

The article discusses the Salt Lake City Public Library (SLCPL) which opened in 2003. An examination of how the library was designed by architect Moshe Safdie is provided. The role which the library plays in community life is described and analyzed. The traditional and modern services which the SLCPL provides are looked at.

The article discusses the state of library services after Hurricane Katrina heavily damaged the New Orleans Public Library's main and branch buildings. Flooding destroyed books and other materials, evacuation caused staffing shortages, and lack of funds impede the rebuilding efforts. Overall, however, library administrators and employees are optimistic that they will be better than before and the community is grateful for whatever services is has.. INSET: Beyond the City.

This article looks at new technological tools and library innovations that help patrons find backlist books. Libraries are increasingly starting to use readers' advisory (RA) online. Williamsburg Regional Library in Virginia has been running the Looking for a Good Book program. Patrons complete a form in which they fill out information on their likes and dislikes as a reader, including characters, settings and genres. A member of the RA team then uses the information to generate a list of authors and titles the reader might enjoy.

The article discusses how libraries can use literary festivals to secure their role as the ultimate connection among readers, authors, and books. Festivals can be the pathway for libraries to "own" the literary niche in their community. Literary festivals are multiplying fast nationwide, and though their sizes and themes vary widely, they all connect readers with writers and celebrate the union. Organizing a literary festival can be a daunting prospect, and many have chosen to partner with other local groups to spread out the work. In addition to supplying extra minds, extra hands, extra funding, and extra venues, partnerships weave libraries into a larger network of like-minded organizations. Some of the most important connections in staging a literary festival are with publishers. Organizers of the Chicago Book Festival--a sweeping, month-long event that blankets the city with author appearances and book signings at libraries, bookstores, and museums--work closely with publishers, piggybacking on national book tours to bring in top-tier writers without top-tier honoraria. INSETS: Plan Early and Get Funded;Get Festive.

The article profiles the Haines Borough Public Library in Haines, Alaska, which was chosen as the best small library in America for 2005. "Community involvement," the standard cliché, doesn't come close to capturing the spirit and action that have structured the building, programs, collections, and services of the Haines Borough Public Library (HBPL), AK. Those achievements make HBPL the winner of the first annual award for the Best Small Library in America, cosponsored by Library Journal and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. It is the contacts and diversity of the paid staff, the library board, the board of the Friends of the Library, and the amazing 75 volunteers that keep the library alert to the needs of its users. The facts of the library, impressive by themselves, only hint at the huge investment by nearly everyone in Haines. The library's circulation, now at 112,520, has increased 77 percent in the past five years, 27 percent last year alone. In a way, everyone in town works in the library. It is the contacts and diversity of the paid staff, the library board, the board of the Friends of the Library, and the amazing 75 volunteers that keep the library alert to the needs of its users. INSETS: BEST SMALL LIBRARY IN AMERICA 2005 SPECIAL MENTION;BEST SMALL LIBRARY IN AMERICA 2005 JUDGES;ABOUT THE BEST SMALL LIBRARY IN AMERICA AWARD.

Provides information about how to give library patrons assistance in searching for medical information on the Internet. How to teach users to search for such information; Standards that are critical in reliable sources of medical information on the Internet; Importance of having an understanding of patrons' needs.